Jim Nabors

James Thurston Jim Nabors June 12 1930 November 30 2017 was an American actor and singer Born and raised in Sylacauga Alabama Nabors moved to Southern California due to his asthma While working at a Santa Monica nightclub The Horn he was discovered by Andy Griffith and later joined The Andy Griffith Show playing Gomer Pyle a gas station attendant who some described as dimwitted Nabors himself has stated that the Gomer character was not so much dimwitted he just wanted to see the good in people The character proved popular and Nabors was given his own spinoff show Gomer Pyle USMC Though best known for his portrayal of Gomer Pyle Nabors became a popular guest on variety shows in the 1960s and 1970s including two specials of his own in 1969 and 1974 after revealing a rich baritone voice He subsequently recorded numerous albums and singles most of them containing romantic ballads